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Sénanque Abbey

D177A, Gordes, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur

Description

The Sénanque Abbey (Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque) is a Cistercian abbey founded in the mid-12th next to the village of Gordes in Provence. It was built in Romanesque style and comprised a church, cloister, chapter house, dormitory and a calefactory (heated communal space) to which a refectory was added in the XVII century. During the French Revolution, the Abbey's land and building were sold and then repurchased in 1854. The current community income stream is generating from lavender farming and tending honey bees. The visit includes the ancient dormitory, the cloister, the warming room and the chapter house. The church is currently closed because of the renovation works.

Access & Transport

The Abbey is 3km from the village of Gordes, 45km west of Avignon, 25km southeast of Carpentras, 30km north of Orange and 80km northwest of Aix-en-Provence. There are no public transport options.

Instructions & Recommendations

The abbey can be visited freely (using a a HistoPad tablet available in 10 languages) or with a guided tour only (in French only) that last 60mins. These takes place at 09:40, 10:00, 10:30, 13:00, 13:30, 14:00, 14:30, 15:00, 15:30, 16:00, 16:30 and 17h00 except on Sundays when tours only take place in the afternoon.

Meta review

The Abbey and the tour get good but not exceptional online reviews. Visitors enjoy the landscape, the use of tablets to bring the monastery to life, the views of lavender fields and the walk from the Bories/Gordes village. However, many are underwhelmed by the building interior, stating that there isn't much to see, and note that many items in the gift shop are not produced locally and not priced competitively. We noted two other recurring advice: come before August if you want to see the lavender before it is cut / harvested and do not expect to walk freely amongst the lavender fields.

Environmental & Social

Environmentally neutral. The admission fees contribute to the maintenance and restoration of the Abbey

Conclusion

The Sénanque Abbey is nice, interesting enough and makes for a pleasant walk / detour from the village of Gordes, but we would not suggest travellers to make a long drive there purposely.

Key positive

Photogenic building and setting

Key negative

Little ornementation inside the room makes the visit a little dull

Gift shop is a little too ... commercial

Suitability

Because of the stairs, the access for disabled persons is particularly difficult and impossible with a wheelchair. Suitable for all ages but children under 12yrs old may find it boring. No religious denomination restrictions.

About this Rating

TYPE

Desktop

RESEARCHED IN

June 2024

PROVIDER

Koreval

Included Items
None
Timing
Duration of visit
Guided tour lasts 1h

av. transport time:1h

est. visit time:1h 15m

Regulated hours
Period 1

MONDAY09:30 - 11:00

TUESDAY09:30 - 11:00

WEDNESDAY09:30 - 11:00

THURSDAY09:30 - 11:00

FRIDAY09:30 - 11:00

SATURDAY09:30 - 11:00

SUNDAY -

Period 2

MONDAY13:00 - 17:00

TUESDAY13:00 - 17:00

WEDNESDAY13:00 - 17:00

THURSDAY13:00 - 17:00

FRIDAY13:00 - 17:00

SATURDAY13:00 - 17:00

SUNDAY13:00 - 17:00

Pricing
Age band
Age band
Regular price / pers.
Senior
65 - 99
€8.5
Adult
18 - 64
€8.5
Child
6 - 17
€4
Infant
0 - 5
€0
Price for students up to 25yrs old is 6 €.

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